PA shuts down illegal construction works at St George’s Bay restaurant

Illegal construction work at Paranga Restaurant was stopped by enforcement officers yesterday morning, after residents had raised concerns with The Malta Independent.

Enforcement officers had already stopped the work on Sunday, but it had resumed yesterday morning. St George’s Bay residents protested against ongoing construction works, saying that the work will ruin the outline of the bay. Residents speaking with this newsroom noted that Planning Authority enforcement officers went on site on Sunday after construction works began. This was confirmed by the PA but the work had resumed yesterday morning.

Residents are angry at this development, and also fear that such construction, right on the bay side, will set a precedent for more to continue building above road level from the beach-side area.

Yesterday morning, enforcement officers turned up again and the work was stopped again and the workers were sent home.

Sources told The Malta Independent that the work was illegal and the owners of the restaurant, the Eden Leisure Group, had filed an application for the sanctioning of the work. Kevin Decesare, owner and director of the group, had been seen on site overseeing the works.

The sources said that the work cannot continue until the application is heard by the PA board.

In response to questions posed by this newsroom, the PA said: “PA officers inspected the premises over the weekend and issued instructions for the works to stop since these require planning permission. A planning application has already been submitted and is currently being validated by the Authority.”

Questions have been sent to the Eden Leisure Group.